What is complete tetraplegia?
Tetraplegia (sometimes referred to as quadriplegia) is a term used to describe the inability to voluntarily move the upper and lower parts of the body. The areas of impaired mobility usually include the fingers, hands, arms, chest, legs, feet and toes and may or may not include the head, neck, and shoulders.
What is tetraplegia spinal cord injury?
Tetraplegia is a paralysis caused by an injury of the cervical spinal cord. This can result in a partial or total sensory and motor loss of the four limbs and torso. The injuries that occur above level C4 often result in respiratory deficiency.
What would happen if you completely damaged the spinal cord at C1?
Without immediate medical attention, C1 spinal cord injuries are typically fatal. The C3-C5 spinal nerves innervate the diaphragm, and because messages from the brain may not be able to get past the C1 level, individuals may not be able to breathe.
What is a C1 quadriplegic?
High-Cervical Nerves (C1 – C4) Ability to speak is sometimes impaired or reduced. When all four limbs are affected, this is called tetraplegia or quadriplegia. Requires complete assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and getting in or out of bed.
How is tetraplegia diagnosed?
It is important that they establish the cause of the tetraplegia to determine suitable treatment options. The diagnosis will also involve some tests to assess the damage and the functioning of the muscles and nerves in the body. Tests will likely involve medical imaging, such as an MRI scan, a CT scan, or an X-ray.
Is tetraplegia complete or incomplete?
Tetraplegia
| Quadriplegia | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Neurosurgery |
| Types | Complete, incomplete |
| Causes | Damage to spinal cord or brain by illness or injury; |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, medical imaging |
What can cause tetraplegia?
Causes
- falls or injuries from vehicle or sporting accidents.
- autoimmune conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- neurological conditions, such as stroke.
- tumors and lesions in the brain or spinal cord.
- neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy.
- spinal cord infections, such as due to polio.
Can you recover from tetraplegia?
In general, symptoms will get worse for 2 to 4 weeks before they stabilize. Recovery can then take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years, but most people recover in 6 to 12 months.
Can a C1 fracture cause paralysis?
Symptoms following an injury to the cervical vertebrae C1 and C2 may include: Complete paralysis of arms and legs.
